Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Early Oscar Race Takes Shape Around The Odyssey
The movie awards race has started even though the Oscars are still months away.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is currently one of the movies people expect to do very well.
However, the writer thinks another movie could eventually become the favorite.
Several possible nominees are connected to New York City and its stories.
John Malkovich may have one of his strongest chances yet to win an Oscar.
A successful horror movie is also being considered for important awards.
The article gives two different names for that horror movie, One Wish Willow and Obsession.
Movies from many countries are also expected to be important in this year’s competition.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is an early best-picture favorite, though the article predicts the field may ultimately prevail.
Several anticipated contenders draw heavily on New York City, including Club Kid, Paper Tiger, and The Only Living Pickpocket.
John Malkovich could receive a major acting push for Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine.
The article says Curry Barker’s horror hit has an awards campaign, but refers to it as both One Wish Willow and Obsession.
International films from Japan, Norway, Spain, Russia, South Korea, Germany, and Nigeria are expected to compete prominently.
- Who
- Christopher Nolan, John Malkovich, and filmmakers behind numerous domestic and international films are among the people discussed in the Oscar outlook.
- What
- An early assessment of likely contenders and trends for the next Academy Awards.
- When
- The outlook was published in September, with the awards scheduled for the following March and film releases continuing through December and early 2026.
- Where
- The awards campaign is being shaped through fall festivals in Venice, Telluride, and Toronto, with several contenders set in New York City and other countries.
- Why
- Fall film festivals have begun generating awards campaigns, predictions, and discussion about potential nominees.
- Current favorite
- The Odyssey is described as the early movie to beat for best picture.
- Author’s prediction
- The writer currently favors the field of contenders over The Odyssey as the eventual best-picture favorite.
- Previous benchmark
- Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer won best picture and earned Nolan his first Oscar for best director.
- New York releases
- Highlighted films include Club Kid, Paper Tiger, The Only Living Pickpocket, Once Upon a Time in Harlem, and The History of Concrete.
- Acting contender
- John Malkovich is identified as a possible contender for Wild Horse Nine; he has previously received two Oscar nominations.
- Horror campaign
- Focus Features is preparing an awards campaign for a low-budget horror hit, identified in the article as both One Wish Willow and Obsession.
- International field
- Potential contenders include films from Japan, Norway, Spain, Russia, South Korea, Germany, and Nigeria.